Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-06-24
CURRENT AFFAIRS.
BRATYLEBORO ACADEMT

OF THE SCHOOL HALF A CEN
TURY AGO.
The writer attended this school first in
the fall Of 1888. He attended it again the
following autumn, and after that was one Of
It's students two terms each year till June,
1887 The statements which follow refer
only 10 persons connected with the academy
at the same time with himself. A complete
account Of any is not attempted. The only
thing aimed at is the relation Of such par
tculars Of interest pertaining to the school
during the time mentioned, as can be cor
rectly given from memory and sources of
information that have come under his no
tice He has seen but one catalogue publish
ed during these years, that for 1879
The principal was Roswell Harris, who
was born in Brattleboro and educated in
Middebury college aud Andover theological
seminary. He died in his native town ON
the anniversary of his birth March q, 1871,
at the age of 13 years. His surviving pu-
pills remember him with respect and love.
A lady who filled the place of preceptress
more than once during that time, became
the wife Of clergyman and died many
years ago A young man remembered as
an assistant, completed a course of study
in college and theological seminary, and
was afterwards engaged in pastoral labors
40 years or more. He is still living. An
other, after graduating at college, spent
some time in teaching, and was afterwards,
for many years, employed as a clerk in the
treasury department at Washington. He
also is now living.
The II men who composed the board OF
trustees in 1885 have all finished their
course, the last having died IA few weeks
since.
The number of names on the catalogue
for 1885 was 1lj; gentlemen, 60 ladies',
80. This was probably about the average
during the period Of three or four years un-
der review.
The religious tone Of the school was high
several Of the students being members OF
the church Of mature age, and some Of them
hoping to become fitted for labors Of use
fulness in the future. \ lesson from the
Bible was recited every Monday morning
During one term, in particular, spiritua
awakening took place, by which many, al
ready counted as Christians, were led t,
take higher stand, and several to begin {
new life.
OF the young men connected with th'
| academy for "A longer or shorter time dur
ing this period, Il acquired IA collegiate ed
ucation, and one died in college Elevel
became preachers Of the gospel, two o
three without completing full course o
study, and two died while pursuing thei
| theological studies. Three Of the ] wen
| .Ir,.uI a. f,rsitrt, missionaries and fhrp
engaged in home missionary work Six be
came physicians, three entered the lega
profession, and four chose the work O
teachers One became surgeon dentist
and has followed the same business in tn
same town A. years.
One Of the lawyers settled in Boston
where he was highly respected as gentle
man, and very successful in his profession
He was speaker Of the House Of Represer
tatives in Boston two or three years, an
one of the commissioners appointed 10 sci
tie the Alabama claims. lie died muc
lamcnted few years ago. One Of tn
teachers, after pursuing his chosen callin
in New England for time, went t. th
South or south west, where he is now hvln
with the title "Honorablc' prefixed 10 h
name. Another has been steadily engage
in his useful work 35 or 30 years, and
now, as he has been for several years, pr
fessor Of languages in an important inst
tuition in the state Of New York. One gel
tleman remembered as fellow studen
besides having been called to the discharl
Of many other public duties, has for
years filled the office Of clerk in one of Il
largest towns in Vermont.
OF the young ladies in the academy
different times during this period, ten a
known to have married professional me
nine of whom were clergymen. Two
these were for many years at the head
important seminaries for the education
ladies', and one was connected with 10
eign mission between 30 and 40 years.
The surviving students Of the old acad
my rejoice that there is now flOurishiI
and highly useful school in the same plac
though with a new name. The new diffe
from the old as all institutions Of learnin
at the present day differ widely from tho
that existed 30 years ago. But in one 7
spect there is a marked similarity. As {
old was not unfrequently in need Of none
50 the new, in order to reach its highest
gree Of usefulness, is now in great need
funds VIII not its friends see that t
need is supplied without delay.
June. 1887. An OLD PUPH..